Application Apply Now
Rs: 4141.80/- ( )
Import Export Code
Import Export Code or IEC is a 10-digit code that a business or a person needs to import/export goods/services. This code is issued by DGFT (Director General of Foreign trade), Ministry of Commerce and Industries, Government of India. The validity of this code is for lifetime, that is, there is no need to renew it. This code is generated within 5-15 working days after the documents are submitted and all the corrections required are made.
This code has many names, like importer exported code, import export code, import export license, import export number, IE code, IE license etc. You can issue this code in either your name or under company’s name. Once issued, it is valid for all its division/units/factories/branches.
Documents required for IEC Code
Different documents are required by different entities to get IEC code and these are given below.
| Sole Proprietorship | Partnership Firm | LLP | Trust | HUF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital photograph (3*3) | Digital photograph (3*3) of the managing partner | Digital photograph (3*3) of the designated partner/director of the company signing the application | Digital photograph (3*3) of the secretary/chief executive/signatory applicant | Digital photograph (3*3) of the Karta |
| Copy of pan card of the proprietor | Copy of partnership deed | Applicant’s copy of pan card | Registration certificate of society/copy of the trust deed | Copy of pan of Karta |
| Copy of passport/voter id/driving license/UID | Copy of passport/voter id UID/driving license/PAN of the managing partner signing the application | Copy of passport/voter id UID/driving license/PAN of the managing partner/director signing the application | Copy of passport/voter id UID/driving license/PAN of the managing trustee/chief executive signing the application | Copy of passport/voter id UID/driving license/PAN of Karta |
| If the business is self-owned, then sale-deed | Sale-deed, in the case of self-owned business | Sale-deed, in the case of self-owned business | Sale-deed, in the case of self-owned business | Sale-deed, in the case of self-owned business |
| If the business is rented, then rental/lease agreement | If the business is rented, then rental/lease agreement | If the business is rented, then rental/lease agreement | If the business is rented, then rental/lease agreement | If the business is rented, then rental/lease agreement |
| Bank certificate as per ANF 2A/ Cancelled cheque bearing blueprinted name of the applicant entity and A/c no. | Bank certificate as per ANF 2A/ Cancelled cheque bearing blueprinted name of the applicant entity and A/c no. | Bank certificate as per ANF 2A/ Cancelled cheque bearing blueprinted name of the applicant entity and A/c no. | Bank certificate as per ANF 2A/ Cancelled cheque bearing blueprinted name of the applicant entity and A/c no. |
When is IEC code required?
It is needed by the custom authorities to clear the shipments in the case of any imports.
Also, it is needed by the bank to transfer the amount in the case of any imports made.
Vis-à-vis if an exporter needs to send the shipments, then it is required.
Or, if the exporter is supposed to receive money in foreign currency and it is transferred directly into his bank account.
Steps to Apply Import Export Code
One can file the FSSAI application directly with the government. The process is long and requires 60 days to get completed :
Application Preparation
In order to get code an application must be made in the Aayaat Niryaat Form 2A format to the DGFT in that region where the registered office of the company is established. Government has also arranged online filing facility for obtaining IEC CODE ONLINE.
Application Processing
Details of the business and its proprietors, directors or partners, bank account details and a bank certificate are the basic requirements of ANF 2A. All the required documents for IEC need to be submitted with ANF 2A. Digital signature is required on the ANF2A form.
IEC fee payment
Once the application if complete, it should be filed with DGFT and an application fee need to be paid to the government. IEC department may send back your application for correction / change. You need to reply back to the DGFT in 15 days.
IE Code Issuance
Once the application is completely verified by the department, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade will allot an IE Code for your business. This IE code comes in both soft copy and hard copy. You receive the softcopy via email and can start the import export transaction with this.
Features of Import Export Code
Business growth Taking your services or products to the international market will enlarge your businesses. IEC enable you to sell products outside India.
Export Subsidies On the basis of IEC, companies or firms can benefits and subsidies their exports/ imports from DGFT, Customs and export promotion council.
Lifetime Validity Once you are done with IE Code Registration and submit all the required documents, IE Code is issued for the lifetime of the entity and requires no renewal.
No Return Filing IE Code does not require filing of any return. Once, an IE Code is issued there are no further procedures required to maintain validity of the IE Code.
Individuals can have IE Code Even individuals who are proprietors of a business can obtain IE Code in their name. It is not necessary to incorporate a business entity for obtaining IE Code.
Benefits of IEC Code
Business growth
- A business have an option for online international marketplaces like Amazon.com, Alibaba etc.
- IEC is mandatory to avail of growth opportunities via import/export.
Export subsidies
- Indian government follows a policy of exporting the goods and not the taxes.
- An exporter can get a refund of any taxes paid while exporting the goods.
- Government even waives some import duties, if the importer promises to export the goods within a time frame.
Lifetime validity
- As the name suggests, there is no need to renew this code again and again.
- It will be valid till the entity for which it is issued exists. After the winding up of the company, this code expires.
No return filing
- There is no compliance requirement for IEC
- Including this, there is no need to file periodical returns.
- It is just like a PAN card.
Online procedure
- The whole procedure can be carried out online and there is no need to go anywhere physically.
- There is no more inspector raj.
- It is very cheap to register your code now @Rs.3,499 only from our website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is IEC code registration?
Import Export Code or IEC is a 10-digit code that a business or a person needs to import/export goods/services. This code is issued by DGFT (Director General of Foreign trade), Ministry of Commerce and Industries, Government of India. The validity of this code is for lifetime, that is, there is no need to renew it. This code is generated within 5-15 working days after the documents are submitted and all the corrections required are made
How to get IEC code registered?
You can get IEC code registered by using our expert services at LegalRaasta.
How much does it cost to get IEC code registered?
We at LegalRaasta cost our clients Rs.3,499 to get a new IEC code and Rs.2,000 to make some amendments in the IEC code.
What is the process of getting IEC code registered?
Preparing application In order to get code an application must be made in the Aayaat Niryaat Form 2A format to the DGFT in that region where the registered office of the company is established. Government has also arranged online filing facility for obtaining IEC CODE ONLINE.
Processing of application Details of the business and its proprietors, directors or partners, bank account details and a bank certificate are the basic requirements of ANF 2A. All the required documents for IEC need to be submitted with ANF 2A. Digital signature is required on the ANF2A form.
Payment of fee Once the application is complete, it should be filed with DGFT and an application fee needs to be paid to the government. IEC department may send back your application for correction/change. You need to reply back to the DGFT in 15 days.
IE code assurance Once the application is completely verified by the department, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade will allot an IE Code for your business. This IE code comes in both soft copy and hard copy. You receive the softcopy via email and can start the import export transaction with this.
What are the documents required to get IEC code registered?
Copy of PAN card firm/company
Copy of property papers (if owned property)
Copy of rent agreement (if rented property)
Landlord NOC (format will be provided by us)
Cancelled cheque of firm
Electricity/water bill (business place)
Telephone bill in the same name
Copy of tax returns (in case of proprietorship)
Certificate of incorporation (in case of company)
Bank statement of firm/Company
AOA and MOA (In case of company)
1 letter head of company (in case of company)
Can a person/entity have more than 1 IEC code?
No. Only 1 IEC is issued to a person/entity. So if more than 1 IEC code is issued, then the same should be surrendered to the Regional Office for cancellation
What happens if IEC number is lost or misplaced?
In such a case, you need to provide an affidavit so that the issuing authority of the IEC code can issue a copy of your IEC number.
Can I surrender my IEC number?
Yes you can. You need to inform the issuing the authority about such decision. And they shall immediately cancel your IEC number after electronically transmitting it to DGFT for onward transmission to the Customs and Regional Authorities.
Who should get IEC number?
Any person/business trying to kick start his export/import business is required to get IEC number.
Can individuals apply for IEC?
Yes. Individuals can apply for IEC, if they own a business in proprietorship or partnership
How long does it take to get IEC code?
We take 4-5 working days to process the IEC code for you/your firm.
Will the IEC code be sent via mail or online?
We will send you the mail of the IEC code, since the whole process is carried out online.
Is the IEC code same as PAN number?
If your business is registered under GST, then the PAN number can be used as the IEC code. That is, there is no need to file it separately.
Is there any tax levied on IEC code?
No, there is no tax levied on IEC code. However, custom duty may be imposed. It depends on the category of the products imported or exported. For more information, go on to the custom department’s website.
What is the time taken to acquire Import Export Code?
After submitting all the requisite documents IEC is typically allotted by DGFT in 5-10 days. It is not necessary to show proof of any import or export to obtain IE Code. Now a days, as IEC can we partially applied online with the help of digital signature, IEC can be obtained in less than a week.
How can I get a duplicate IEC certificate online?
If you have taken IEC Certificate in new process e-IEC online, then you can download your certificate any time by login into the IEC portal with your username details. But if you had taken your IEC in physical process, you have to re-apply for e-IEC with all the documents and DGFT will provide you certificate in new online format.
How can I modify my IEC code?
If you or a company wants to modify any details in IEC license, then you can do it online in your IEC application. IEC modification required resubmitting the application with the DGFT once again with all the required documents. Also, IEC modification fee needs to be submitted with the department.
Does one need to file monthly returns under Import Export Code?
IEC is only a license permitting the import and export of goods. Therefore, no return is required to be filed under IEC code.
Who is not required to obtain IEC code?
You will not need an IEC code under the following cases:
Person exporting or importing goods for personal use and not for activities related to business.
Persons exporting or importing goods to/from Nepal or Myanmar through Indo-Myanmar border areas, a value of which does not exceed Rs.25,000/- in a single assignment.
Ministries or departments of central government do not require obtaining IEC.
In which cities does LegalRaasta provide IEC registration?
LegalRaasta provides IEC application services across India in all cities. We have done IEC registration in Mumbai, Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Surat, Pune, Jaipur, Lucknow, Kanpur, Nagpur and other Indian cities.
Why should I choose LegalRaasta for IEC registration?
Legalraasta.com is one of the best online service portals to help companies register IE Code in India. We have 10 years of experience in application of IE Code. LegalRaasta is having its 30+ regional offices in India and expand its network in India with 2000+ customers for IE Code.
Is IEC used by customs? If so, how many days are required to submit the information to them?
Yes, the IEC information is used by the custom department to ensure easy imports. And the information is transferred to them electronically on the day of the issue of IEC.
How can an NRI apply for IEC?
Normal procedure is followed to obtain IEC code in case of NRIs. In some exceptional cases, the permission from RBI/FIPB is required.
What are the documents needed for NRIs to get IEC code?
Board resolution, Memorandum of Association, copy of passport, including all the documents required by an Indian citizen/company/proprietorship firm.
Is IEC hand delivered/over the counter?
Neither. It is actually delivered via speed post. In the case of deficiency letters, it is delivered at the IEC counter along with Application form/Documents to the authorized person/Applicant.
Is the requirement of IEC item based?
No, IEC is not item based. It is issued once to the user once only and there is no need to issue it for every item. The same can be used to export/import different items.
Does IEC needs to be revalidated after a period of time?
There is no need to update the IEC, if there is PAN incorporated in it. But the same should be updated for changes in name/address/constitution.